When asked if Thiago expects high standards from his famous father, Messi said: "Yes… I already have a couple of criticisms. He follows Barcelona, La Liga, and the Champions League. He likes it, asks questions, reports, and he tells me when things are not so good."

He added: "Thiago forces me to comment on what happened and explain why we didn't win."

With telepathic passing and an attacking dominance that borders on pure artistry on the pitch, Messi has enjoyed awe-inspiring form this season. With him in the team, Barcelona has only failed to win seven times this season.

Fortunately for him, this means he has rarely had to explain himself to his "football crazy" son.